A companion to Selig's well known feature film, "Ranch Life in the Great Southwest," will be released Tuesday, Feb. 27. The first named subject was the most striking of its kind, up to the time of its release, as the most expert cowboys in the world were engaged in its making; the second, entitled '"With the Boys On the Diamond S," has even still more thrills and dare-devil exploits, as our old friend. Tom Mix. the man of steel muscles and rock-ribbed torso, and Frank Maish, the world's champion lassoer and rough rider, are to the fore in some amazing feats of skill, strength and horsemanship. It would seem that all the demons of the plains, in horseflesh, had been collected for the occasion, as the wild bronchs attempt to throw their riders in the most cunning and diabolical fashion. Watch that fellow swinging swiftly around in a circle, of which his own body is the radius. He is trying his best to make the rider dizzy, and then with a downward plunge of his head and front quarters and an upward heave with his rear, shoot him from the saddle with the force of a mighty catapult. But he fails in this particular case. Bucking bronchs of all types (remember that a bronch is a wild horse which has never been trained to the saddle, and that a broncho is a domesticated bronch) are seen, and many a rider bites the dust after a long and desperate effort to retain his saddle. Some remarkable bulldogging feats are performed by Tom Mix. Bulldogging a wild steer is hazardous at all times, but Mr. Mix makes the feat extra hazardous. While his horse is at full gallop, in pursuit of the steer, at the proper moment, Mr. Mix jumps from his mount and lights on the neck of the steer, or on the ground, to one side of the animal. In either case he must avoid the long, sharp-pointed horns with his body and be skillful enough to seize them in his hands. Then he twists the animal's neck and forces the creature to the ground. In one instance we see Mr. Mix light on the neck of the steer, causing the animal to turn a complete somersault its full length. The spectator expects to find him crushed and limp, but he emerges from the dust a victor and body whole, while the steer gets up and trots off none the worse for its rough experience. But there is an additional thrill in these bulldogging feats, and it is furnished by Mrs. Mix. She seizes a monster steer and after a tremendous tussle, which lasts several minutes, succeeds in throwing him. There is another big surprise in store for everyone who views this film. For the first time they will see an automobile used instead of a horse, in lassoing, roping and tying steers on the plain. This is done most successfully, and in one instance we see Tom Mix bulldog a steer from the machine, while it is going at high speed. The lassoing feats and daring riding performed by Frank Maish will also make many eyes open in wonder. The march of 1,000 longhorns, the last of their kind on the plains, is shown as they are being driven to the nearest station, for shipment to market. Another scene that will be appreciated by many shows sunrise on the plains, with thousands of cattle resting or browsing. This is finely photographed and the same can be said of the entire film. Continuous action, of the liveliest kind, marks the doings of the boys on the "Diamond S," and their stunts include all that are worthwhile in the depiction of life on the plains of the Great Southwest. - The Moving Picture World, February 3, 1912
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